Lamotrigine belongs to a class of medications known as antiepileptics. It is used alone or in combination with other medications to manage seizures associated with epilepsy when other medications have not been effective or have been stopped. It is also used along with other medications to manage seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Lamotrigine works by decreasing the chemicals in the brain that are believed to contribute to seizures.

This medication may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.

Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.

Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.

The recommended dose of lamotrigine varies according to a person's need and the other antiepileptic medications they are taking. In adults, lamotrigine is started at a low dose, ranging from 25 mg every other day to 50 mg once a day. Over a number of weeks, the dose is gradually increased until a maintenance dose is reached. The maintenance dose ranges from 50 mg to 250 mg twice a day. For children, lamotrigine is given according to the weight of the child. It should not be used in children who weigh less than 9 kg.

Many things can affect the dose of a medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

The regular tablets must be swallowed whole and not chewed or crushed. The chewable tablets may be swallowed whole, chewed, or dissolved in a teaspoonful of water or fruit juice. The tablets take about 1 minute to dissolve. Once dissolved, swirl the solution and drink the entire amount immediately. Add some water to the glass and drink that as well to make sure there is no medicine left in the glass.

Lamotrigine may be taken with or without food.

It is important that this medication be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If your next dose is less than 4 hours away, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice. If you miss more than a few days of lamotrigine doses, talk to your doctor before restarting the medication. You may need to start taking the medication at a lower dose than you were taking previously.

Store this medication at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

Some medications can affect vitamin and nutrient levels in the body. Below is a list of nutrient depletions associated with this medication. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about whether taking a supplement is recommended or if you have any questions or concerns.

Apo-Lamotrigine may deplete calcium

How can this nutrient deficiency affect me? Calcium is a mineral nutrient needed for the growth and maintenance of bones and teeth, especially in children, during pregnancy, and while breast-feeding. It helps prevent bone loss and osteoporosis, and it plays an important role in muscles and blood clotting. Calcium deficiency can result in softening of bone or an increase in the risk of bone fractures.

What can I do about this? Talk to your pharmacist about calcium deficiency. Calcium is available in supplement form. Before starting any nutrient supplement, always talk with your pharmacist first.

Before you begin taking a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should take this medication.

Aseptic meningitis: Rarely, lamotrigine can cause symptoms of aseptic meningitis (inflammation or swelling of the membranes around the brain and spinal cord that is not caused by bacteria). If you have an autoimmune condition (e.g., systemic lupus erythematosus, mixed connective tissue disease), you are more at risk for developing this. If you experience symptoms such as stiff neck, severe headache, nausea, vomiting, fever, or changes in consciousness, stop taking this medication can get immediate medical attention.

Birth control pills/hormone replacement therapy: The dose of lamotrigine you take may need to be adjusted if you start or stop oral contraceptives or other female hormonal treatments, such as hormone replacement therapy.

According to some case reports, when lamotrigine was taken in combination with birth control pills or other hormone replacement, rarely seizures, unexpected pregnancies, and menstrual bleeding disorders (e.g., breakthrough bleeding) occurred.

Do not start or stop taking these medications without consulting your doctor. If you experience changes in your menstrual pattern such as breakthrough bleeding while taking lamotrigine with these medications, contact your doctor.

Blood counts: This medication can decrease the number of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell that helps fight infection), red blood cells (which carry oxygen), and platelets (which help your blood to clot). Your doctor will do blood tests to monitor this. If you notice any signs of infection (e.g., fever, chills, or sore throat) or unusual bleeding or bruising, contact your doctor immediately.

Drowsiness/reduced alertness: If you have uncontrolled epilepsy, you should not drive or handle potentially dangerous machinery. Common side effects of lamotrigine include dizziness, problems with muscle coordination, drowsiness, double vision, and blurred vision. You should not to undertake activities requiring mental alertness or physical coordination until you determine how lamotrigine affects you.

Heart disease: Lamotrigine can cause a change in the rhythm of the heart, particularly for people who already have certain heart conditions. If you have any heart condition, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Hypersensitivity reaction: Lamotrigine has occasionally caused a severe allergic reaction called hypersensitivity syndrome. This reaction involves a number of organs in the body and may be fatal if not treated quickly. Stop taking the medication and get immediate medical attention if you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, including fever, swollen glands, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or flu-like symptoms with skin rash or blistering.

Kidney function: Kidney disease or reduced kidney function may cause this medication to build up in the body, causing side effects. If you have reduced kidney function or kidney disease, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Liver function: Liver disease or reduced liver function may cause this medication to build up in the body, causing side effects. If you have reduced liver function or liver disease, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

This medication may also cause a decrease in liver function. If you experience symptoms of liver problems such as fatigue, feeling unwell, loss of appetite, nausea, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark urine, pale stools, abdominal pain or swelling, and itchy skin, contact your doctor immediately.

Rashes: Severe skin rashes leading to hospitalization have been reported by people taking lamotrigine. This appears more likely to happen if the dose is increased too quickly. The risk of a serious rash is higher for children and may be higher for people who have experienced rashes when taking other medication for epilepsy. Nearly all cases of serious rashes associated with lamotrigine have occurred within 2 to 8 weeks of the start of treatment. If you notice a skin rash, fever, or swollen glands, seek medical attention immediately.

Stopping the medication: Suddenly stopping any antiepileptic medication may cause rebound seizures. In general, the medication should be stopped gradually, as directed by your doctor, to minimize this risk. Before stopping lamotrigine, contact your doctor for guidance.

Suicidal or agitated behaviour: People with epilepsy sometimes experience depression. If you have depression or bipolar disorder, you may be at an increased risk of feeling agitated (restless, anxious, aggressive, emotional, and feeling not like themselves), or wanting to hurt yourself or others. If you experience these side effects or notice them in a family member who is taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.

Pregnancy: The use of lamotrigine during pregnancy has been associated with an increased number of cases of cleft palate, a birth defect. This medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.

Do not stop taking the medication until you've consulted your doctor, since doing so can cause rebound seizures that may be harmful to the mother and unborn baby.

Breast-feeding: This medication passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking lamotrigine, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding. Generally, breast-feeding while taking lamotrigine is not recommended.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of using lamotrigine for children under 16 years of age, other than those with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, have not been established. Lamotrigine should not be used in children weighing less than 9 kg.

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

stop taking one of the medications,

change one of the medications to another,

change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or

leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.